Top Italian military take leave in Masonic scandal

June 10, 1981

Italy's top generals and admirals have gone on leave because of the secret "P 2" Masonic lodge scandal that brought down the government. Fifteen high-ranking officers, including the chief of defense staff and the heads of Italy's two secret services, went on leave after being included in a list of nearly 1,000 prominent Italians alleged to be P2 members.